The Los Angeles Rams put together an improbable comeback to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders, 17-16, in Week 14 that snapped a six-game losing streak.
Baker Mayfield, in his first game with the team, led back-to-back touchdown drives of 75 and 98 yards in the fourth quarter to come away with the victory.
The former Heisman Trophy winner connected with Van Jefferson on a 23-yard touchdown with just nine seconds remaining in regulation to solidify the win.
Jefferson, who missed the first six games while recovering from a second offseason recovery, was excited to catch the game-winning touchdown and credited the Rams’ training staff for helping him get back to this point, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“It meant a lot,” Jefferson said. “Not being able to play for the first couple of games of the season, to come back, and what I’ve been through, the hard rehab I’ve had. Credit to (Vice President, Sports Medicine and Performance) Reggie (Scott) and his training staff, (associate athletic trainer) Mark (Dydasco) and his staff, but it was awesome to get back.”
Jefferson’s touchdown catch was also meaningful because it was his first game-winning reception at any level of competition:
“That was the first game-winner I caught (at any level of competition),” Jefferson said.
Jefferson finished the day with two catches for 44 yards and the touchdown. His first reception for 21 yards in the first quarter helped set up a 55-yard field goal by kicker Matt Gay.
In six games this season, Jefferson has caught 13 of his 27 targets for 180 yards and three touchdowns. With Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson both sidelined, Jefferson will continue having opportunities as the No. 1 wide receiver on the Rams’ depth chart.
